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Savannah council moves toward formal removal of Rochelle Small-Toney

If City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney refuses to resign by 10 a.m. Thursday, the Savannah City Council is ready to vote on her removal.

It will take more than that one formal vote, though, to end her 18-month tenure under the process detailed in the city charter.

Small-Toney did not respond to a request for comment.

She has continued in her daily duties, including spending most of Monday with Mayor Edna Jackson, other city officials and other local government leaders in mediation over the funding split for local option sales tax dollars.

Council on Thursday is only allowed to vote on a preliminary resolution that states the reasons for removal, according to the charter. The vote must come at least 30 days before her removal.

The city manager has the right under the charter to request a hearing within 10 days, which cannot be held any earlier than 20 days later but no longer than 30 days after the request is filed.

After the requested hearing, council then has authority to adopt a final resolution of removal.

The charter does put in place a more immediate course of action. Once the preliminary resolution has been approved, council has the authority to suspend the city manager.

Jackson said Tuesday she has received no communication from the city manager regarding the resignation. She declined any further comment.

The charter, however, isn’t the only document under close review. In March 2011, then-Mayor Otis Johnson in a letter of agreement documented the terms of compensation agreed upon by Small-Toney and the council. The new council upheld those terms when it reaffirmed her as city manager in January.

The last paragraph of the 2011 agreement outlines that if Small-Toney is terminated at the pleasure of council, she will be paid a minimum of six months’ salary. That amounts to $95,287.

The letter continues by stating if removal comes through the charter process, Small-Toney is entitled to compensation detailed there. That provides for two months’ pay, which would be $31,762.

That establishes incentive for the city manager to leave under good terms with council.

Those terms are no longer as amicable as they once were.

Alderman Tony Thomas, who serves as council chairman, plans to ask the full council Thursday for an audit of all funds the city manager controls directly.

Council placed no restrictions on the city manager’s authority after asking for her resignation. She still has authority to approve checks for up to $25,000.

“Personally, I don’t think we should disperse any severance funds until we conduct an audit,” Thomas said.

Mayor Pro Tem Van Johnson agreed that under the circumstances, it is a reasonable request.

“We need a firm understanding of where we are financially in terms of the funds she has direct control over,” he said.

One of the primary concerns prompting the call for Small-Toney’s resignation has been problems in the city’s Purchasing Department. Staff turnover contributed to a backlog of requisitions and invoices that reached millions of dollars.

Small-Toney’s supporters are gearing up for a public airing of concerns Wednesday, Community activist and radio talk show host Chester Dunham has a city permit for a 4 p.m. rally Wednesday in Johnson Square.

He and several presenters, he said, have done research into some of the issues and have reviewed the charter.

“We will be presenting what we’ve found out from our research,” he said. “It’s something for everyone in the community.”